Same sex relationships, sexual assault, teens questioning traditional gender roles. For a long time, all of these things were considered tabooForbidden due to social rules of behaviour. in society. But this weekend, millions of teenagers (and adults) discussed them openly as they watched the final series of Sex Education, a show which has made embracing previously forbidden topics its mission.

Reviewers call it the "teen utopiaThe word was coined by Thomas More (1478 - 1535) in his 1516 work of that name. In Greek, utopia means no place." - part of a new generation of "kind TV", alongside Heartstopper and others. It is a world of difference away from the pop culture of the noughties, under the spotlight this week due to Russell Brand, which was often unkind in the extreme. This has led some to ask: is Generation Z the kind generation?

Some would say yes. They point to the fact that Gen Z, those born between 1996 and 2010, is more accepting and open-minded than any generation before it. They are also more likely to be involved in social justice movements and to care about the environment.

For example, a 2022 survey by the Pew Research Center found that approximately two thirds of Gen Zers and millennialsPeople who reached adulthood in the early 21st Century. agree that Black people are treated less fairly than White people in the US. This is compared to only about half of Generation XThe demographic cohort in between Baby Boomers and Millennials. It includes people born between 1965 and 1980. .

A typical Gen Zer, states StanfordA top university in the USA. scholar Roberta Katz, is "a self-driver who deeply cares about others, strives for a diverse community, is highly collaborative and social, values flexibility, relevance, authenticityGenuineness. and non-hierarchical leadership".

However, others point out that members of Gen Z can be "illiberal" and "intolerant" - to those who do not share their views. Critics say young people are more likely than older generations to support censorship of speech that they find offensive, often known as "cancel culture". 

For example, a study for Britain's Channel Four found that a quarter of respondents aged 13 to 24 said they had "very little tolerance for people with beliefs I disagree with".

Nearly half agreed with the statement that "some people deserved to be cancelled", while just a third of over-25s expressed the same opinion.

Shows like Sex Education and Heartstopper are popular with Gen Z because they reflect their values and attitudes. These shows are inclusive and accepting, and they promote kindness and compassion.

For example, Sex Education features a diverse cast of characters with a variety of sexual orientations and gender identities. The show also deals with sensitive topics such as bullying, mental health and sexual assault in a compassionate and informative way.

Meanwhile, Heartstopper is a love story between two teenage boys. The show is notable for its realistic and positive portrayal of same-sex relationships.

Both of these shows help to promote acceptance and understanding amongst their audience and show that it is possible to be kind and compassionate, even in the face of adversity.

It is important to note that Gen Z is still a young generation, and its values and attitudes are still evolving. It is possible that Gen Z will become more tolerant and open-minded as it ages.

But the opposite is true too. Only time will tell which path Gen Z will choose.

Yes: Gen Z is often considered the kindest generation. They prioritise tolerance, social justice and kindness more than previous generations.

No: Despite their emphasis on kindness, Gen Z also exhibits tendencies towards intolerance and cancel culture. Some argue that their inclination to silence opposing views may contradict any claim to be the kindest generation.

Or... Gen Z's kindness is a complex issue. They champion tolerance and compassion but are also criticised for being intolerant of differing perspectives. But its members are young - so the full truth is not yet known.